Aaron Rodgers (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
An NFL insider has provided a possible explanation on Aaron Rodgers’ mysterious absence from New York Jets mandatory minicamp.
Aaron Rodgers missed this week’s mandatory minicamp activities in what head coach Robert Saleh described as an “unexcused absence.” Saleh stated that the four-time MVP had to attend an event that was “important” to him, per ESPN’s Rich Cimini.
Speaking on “The Rich Eisen Show”, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported that Jets coaches knew that Rodgers would miss the mandatory minicamp sessions. Breer added that Rodgers may have been absent because of an ayahuasca retreat:
“He told them that he had something he didn’t want to miss and that he was going to be away from the last week of the offseason program…They communicated to him that they wouldn’t be able to excuse him for that…You can’t do something for one person that you wouldn’t do for other stars on the team.”
Rodgers is entering his second season with the Jets, having been acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Green Bay Packers last year. Unfortunately, Rodgers suffered a season-ending Achilles tear just minutes into his Jets debut in a Monday night contest against the Buffalo Bills.
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Rodgers has made headlines over the past year with some of his off-field antics and interviews. He has spread misinformation on COVID-19 and vaccines and several baseless conspiracy theories.
Back in January, Rodgers made headlines when he alleged that Jimmy Kimmel was on Jeffrey Epstein’s client list in an interview on “The Pat McAfee Show.” Kimmel threatened to sue Rodgers, and McAfee stated that the future Hall of Famer would not be on his program for the rest of the NFL season.
Aaron Rodgers & Jets Open Season At 49ers
For the second straight season, Rodgers and his Jets will begin their season on ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” program.
Rodgers and the Jets are traveling to the west coast to take on his boyhood team, the San Francisco 49ers, on Sept. 9 (8:15 p.m. EST). Rodgers had many memorable showdowns with San Fran during his run with the Packers, including four playoff appearances that saw the 49ers emerge victorious each time.
After that, the Jets will travel to Music City to take on Will Levis’ Tennessee Titans in a Week 2 showdown.
Jets CB Sauce Gardner Sounds Off On Teammate Aaron Rodgers Skipping Minicamp
New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner has responded to all the criticism being levied at teammate Aaron Rodgers over his decision to skip the team’s minicamp earlier this week.
Rodgers has been taking quite a lot of stick since Jets head coach Robert Saleh referred to his absence as “unexcused” during a press conference, although the team knew of his commitment well ahead of the mandatory practice.
While fans and the media aren’t pleased, Rodgers’ teammates aren’t bothered and are even ticked off over all the fuss,
The aforementioned cornerback happens to be one of them, and he took to X/Twitter to make it clear that folks are making a big deal about nothing, given that Rodgers participated in all of the team’s other offseason activities.
“Are y’all really making a big deal because a 15+ year HOF QB missed 2 days of practice after being with the team all throughout Phase 1, 2, & 3 of OTA’s?? GG’s,” he wrote.
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Fans Were Split Over Sauce Gardner’s Take
Some fans were pleased to see Sauce Gardner defending his teammate.
“People are upset about Aaron Rodgers having a vacation when we normies also use our vacation time even though our work is mandatory,” one wrote.
“Sauce sticks up for his guy,” said another.
“They acting like Rodgers a rookie in the game,” a third wrote. “One of the best QBs in NFL history.”
Of course, some fans didn’t appreciate it.
“You mean the guy who said the team needed to eliminate distractions and then became one because he had better things to do than be with his team?” someone asked.
Rodgers’ whereabouts are still unknown, although Colin Cowherd said everyone would know by Thursday.
